Unit 8 Discussion Assignment
BUS 5211: Managing in the Global Economy, University of the People
- Discuss how the four areas of cultural intelligence aid a leader in understanding culture as well as intercultural efforts.
- Determine how a leader must reframe their thinking when interacting with employees of different cultures.
- Examine the different methods a leader can utilize adaptive work to adjust his/her thinking.
- How can leaders demonstrate interdependence when while dealing with diverse cultures?
- Discuss how being culturally conscious is important to the success of a leader.
Grade: 9/10 (338 words)
Four areas help leaders understand the culture and intercultural efforts: reframing, adaptive work, systems thinking, and consciousness. I will describe the basic concept of these four areas and mainly discuss how the areas aid leaders and how leaders utilize them.
Reframing
The idea and the practice of shifting one's perspective are called reframing. Through reframing, leaders can change their thinking and procedures related to relationships, resulting in long-lasting and meaningful intercultural relationships. Leaders must reframe their thinking when interacting with employees of different cultures by asking themselves the following questions: "how can I learn from this relationship, and how can the learning move us toward our vision?" (Cultural intelligence for leaders, 2012)
Adaptive work
Adaptive work is one of the cultural intelligences that transforms values, beliefs, and behaviors to overcome conflicts occurring among different groups. For adaptive work, leaders must constantly review, revise, and reflect on their value systems and how these systems impact their cultural interactions. (Cultural intelligence for leaders, 2012)
Systems thinking
Systems thinking refers to capturing patterns of interdependency. Leaders must see the connections and relationships between cultural, political, legal, social, economic, familial, etc. Leaders can demonstrate interdependence while dealing with diverse cultures by asking themselves and others, "if we did not do this work, what would be lost." The questions will bring deep and authentic dialogue and help people understand culture's systemic nature. (Cultural intelligence for leaders, 2012)
Consciousness
Consciousness is awareness of one's self, including one's thoughts, feelings, and situations. Leaders learn culture through their cognition, which is required for leaders in emotional, physical, mental, social, and spiritual domains. Culturally conscious is essential to the success of a leader because it produces creative forces that are needed for both the social and political influence of the future. Through culturally conscious activities, leaders have the opportunity to go beyond their limited thoughts and behaviors. These thoughts and actions generate creativity, help leaders relate to difficulties they encounter, and build good relationships in an intercultural environment. (Cultural intelligence for leaders, 2012)
Conclusion
This discussion introduced four areas: reframing, adaptive work, systems thinking, and consciousness, which are helpful for leaders to understand and work with different cultures. Leaders will need to change their original ways of thinking and acting in other cultures, but knowing and using the overview of these areas will help them build trust and work better in cross-cultural environments.
References
Cultural intelligence for leaders (v. 1.0). (2012, December 29). Lardbucket. Retrieved from https://2012books.lardbucket.org/pdfs/cultural-intelligence-for-leaders.pdf
